New Delhi [India], October 5 (ANI): A sudden flood in the Amochu River area early Sunday morning left several families and workers stranded in a temporary housing and workforce camp in Bhutan. Despite difficult weather conditions, a coordinated rescue operation by Bhutanese authorities and the Indian Army ensured the safe evacuation of all affected individuals.
When a Druk Air helicopter was unable to take off due to inclement weather in Paro, Bhutan urgently sought India’s assistance. Responding promptly, the Indian Army deployed two helicopters to the site around 12:55 PM (local time). These teams airlifted stranded workers to safety and provided immediate medical care, the Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management, Bhutan, said in a statement. Three stranded individuals were successfully airlifted to the CST ground and transported to hospital for treatment.
In a positive development, the two workers previously reported missing were later found alive and safe. Additionally, after weather conditions improved slightly, a Druk Air helicopter managed to rescue one of the individuals earlier reported as washed away.
The Royal Government of Bhutan expressed deep gratitude to the Indian Army for its timely and life-saving assistance, and also commended the Royal Bhutan Army, Druk Air teams, and all local responders for their courageous and selfless efforts.
Meanwhile, authorities in North Bengal have been placed on high alert after Bhutan’s Tala Hydropower Dam began overflowing due to a technical failure, raising concerns about potential flooding in West Bengal’s Dooars region. The National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), Bhutan, confirmed that the Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) reported a malfunction in the dam gates, which failed to open, leading to river water spilling over the structure. Bhutan has formally alerted the West Bengal government to prepare for possible impacts.
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